SSR Lovers and/or Owners Thread!

[AirGoofy]

what do you think is the best park to be at? And does DTD stay open later?

The park depends on what you like the best - if you have young children, then MK is definitely worth it - characters, rides. If you like live shows, I think HS has the most of them, and certainly the only one with live stunt shows. If you like animals, then AK is the place to go. Epcot has a great combo of rides and the countries.

 

[pnyltwk]

There use to be a big party at SSR, at the Congress Park pool. They would have a DJ, play games, lite fare and beer. It was a lot of fun or use to be at least.

We were there this past year. The parks were all packed so we wound up at the the resort for New Year's Eve. The activities were at the main pool. There were games and prizes and alot of fun.

 

[tomandrobin]

We were there this past year. The parks were all packed so we wound up at the the resort for New Year's Eve. The activities were at the main pool. There were games and prizes and alot of fun.

All of the resorts will have a New Years Eve celebration. Some of the parties will have a fee, like California Grill. I forgot to mention that they moved the party from Congress Park to High Rock Springs pool. I was just zeroing in on the fireworks.

Also, we have never watched the Epcot fireworks at NYE. They are more then the standard Illuminations, but for whatever reason choose not to go.

 

[tomandrobin]

Also to note...

MK - No adult beverages

DHS and EP - Adult Beverages

MK and DHS the past few years has been open late. Normally MK until 4am on the 30th, DHS to 3am on the 31st.

 

[diberry]

Hi! We have just booked 2 weeks at SSR for next August and I've been looking through this thread with great interest for several days and looking at all the lovely pictures.
I'm a bit confused about the buses and would be grateful if someone could please explain:
1. There appears not to be an internal shuttle service. Is that correct? In that case is there a way to get around the resort other than on foot or by hitching a lift on a "golf cart"?
2. Which order do the buses to and from the parks go around the resort please? We just came back from 2 weeks at OKW and it took us a few days to work out the bus routes there - we eventually realised that the last stop before the buses left the resort was always Hospitality House so we could get on any bus going round the resort if we wanted to go to HH - is it the same at SSR with buses always stopping at the Carriage House before leaving the resort?
Many thanks! We're already counting down the days to our first visit to SSR!

 

[diberry]

I've been reading about how close SSR is to DTD but am a bit foggy about how exactly to get there. Could anyone please tell me where all the paths are to get from various parts of SSR to various parts of DTD?
Many thanks!

 

[Dizny Dad]

diberry -

1. The last bus stop is always The Springs, which is the closest to the Carriage House. It is across the street from High Rock Springs, so it is mearly a short walk up the ramp beside the pool, or an adventurous walk through the pool area with steps up to Artist Palette.

2. There is no internal bus service completely around SSR. there is a such service for THV to the Grandstand bus stop.

3. I believe all but one bus run uses the same order for stopping at the bus stops. I beleive it is the DTD bus that does a small reversal of stops. for the most part, jumping on any bus will get you to the Carriage house (Springs) area.

4. DTD is on the other side of the Buena Vista Lake, across from SSR. Take the walkway around the lake to DTD to get to the east side. The west side can also be found by following the path from the golf course, across the bridge, and follow the sign. The boat from the Turf Club waterside area is also a nice way to get to DTD.

Have a great time!

 

[diberry]

Thank you very much Dizny Dad for your quick reply.

Just to make sure I understand it correctly - does the bus always enter the resort at the Grandstand and then go to the Carousel/Paddock area followed by Congress Park and the Springs?

Many thanks again.

 

[Doug7856]

Thank you very much Dizny Dad for your quick reply.

Just to make sure I understand it correctly - does the bus always enter the resort at the Grandstand and then go to the Carousel/Paddock area followed by Congress Park and the Springs?

Many thanks again.

Yes, except for the DTD bus.

 

[figmentfan0724]

Just back from our beloved SSR for a nice long weekend getaway! I dont' know if anyone else was there noticed it or not, but it seemed more crowded to me than normal with all of the upgraded guests for free dining. we got the request for the springs we wanted, I don't know how I feel about all the people getting upgraded though

 

[AirGoofy]

Thank you very much Dizny Dad for your quick reply.

Just to make sure I understand it correctly - does the bus always enter the resort at the Grandstand and then go to the Carousel/Paddock area followed by Congress Park and the Springs?

Many thanks again.

I forget when I got there. Just stick your head in to any of the bus drivers. They have always been real friendly and will tell you the order. The buses were not crowded.

 

[Paulieuk1969]

Thank you very much Dizny Dad for your quick reply.

Just to make sure I understand it correctly - does the bus always enter the resort at the Grandstand and then go to the Carousel/Paddock area followed by Congress Park and the Springs?

Many thanks again.

Theme park buses enter the resort at the main entrance and proceed in the following order:

Grandstand
Carousel
Paddock
Congress Park
Springs

Downtown Disney buses enter at the service entrance near Congress Park and proceed around the resort in the following order:

Springs
Grandstand
Carousel
Paddock
Congress Park

To get to the main pool / restaurants catch any theme park bus, to get back to your room catch the DtD bus. There is usually a sign at the bus stops if you are unsure.

 

[diberry]

Theme park buses enter the resort at the main entrance and proceed in the following order:

Grandstand
Carousel
Paddock
Congress Park
Springs

Downtown Disney buses enter at the service entrance near Congress Park and proceed around the resort in the following order:

Springs
Grandstand
Carousel
Paddock
Congress Park

To get to the main pool / restaurants catch any theme park bus, to get back to your room catch the DtD bus. There is usually a sign at the bus stops if you are unsure.

That's brilliantly clear, thank you Paul!
Have a great trip home later this month!

 

[Dizny Dad]

I always get frustrated when reading a thread and statements are made with the idea that staying at SSR is the last place any DVCr would stay. I have read three such innuendos today alone.

There is this never ending rumor out their that wont die. It has a life of its own. It is walking around the other resorts in an old swim suit and flip flops, unshaven with bad breath, that continues portraying the idea that one would only stay at SSR if you needed to blow off developer points (after buying into one of the more exclusive resort), or if you were unlucky enough to be down graded from the "Pop" resort your kids wanted to stay at due to over booking.

And I was frustrated that I found this thread on page three . . . .

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

I always get frustrated when reading a thread and statements are made with the idea that staying at SSR is the last place any DVCr would stay. I have read three such innuendos today alone.

There is this never ending rumor out their that wont die. It has a life of its own. It is walking around the other resorts in an old swim suit and flip flops, unshaven with bad breath, that continues portraying the idea that one would only stay at SSR if you needed to blow off developer points (after buying into one of the more exclusive resort), or if you were unlucky enough to be down graded from the "Pop" resort your kids wanted to stay at due to over booking.

And I was frustrated that I found this thread on page three . . . .

Not every resort is for everyone. Those who don't enjoy SSR just seem to be a bit more vocal about it.

SSR is one of our home resorts, and we have never had a stay there that didn't absolutely thrill us. That doesn't mean we don't try to stay at other non-home resorts -- we're still in the process of trying each DVC resort. (3 to go.) But we're never disappointed if switching to a non-home resort doesn't pan out, because we know we'll enjoy ourselves in SSR.

I think there are two things that SSR has working against it, and both have to do with its size. First, the introduction of SSR represented the real exponential expansion of DVC. The number of members really started to climb as SSR began to sell. Members who had been in the club prior to this associated the arrival of SSR with some of the special touches that disappeared.

The second thing, IMHO, that works against SSR also has to do with its size. During periods when it's impossible to find a room at other resorts, SSR still seems to have availability. I'm sure this has more to do with the fact that SSR has more rooms to go around. Resorts like VWL, BCV, and BWV are tiny when compared to SSR. However, people interpret the fact that some resorts are hard to get into and SSR is not as an indication of exclusivity, popularity, or "poshness" of the resort.

We've got a great resort to stay at. I was just able to book a spur-of-the-moment trip during F&W without having to waitlist. We've got the THV. And our dues have been the cheapest on the chart for the past four years. Sticks and stones... let them say what they want. I'm happy with my SSR.

 

[tomandrobin]

I always get frustrated when reading a thread and statements are made with the idea that staying at SSR is the last place any DVCr would stay. I have read three such innuendos today alone.

There is this never ending rumor out their that wont die. It has a life of its own. It is walking around the other resorts in an old swim suit and flip flops, unshaven with bad breath, that continues portraying the idea that one would only stay at SSR if you needed to blow off developer points (after buying into one of the more exclusive resort), or if you were unlucky enough to be down graded from the "Pop" resort your kids wanted to stay at due to over booking.

And I was frustrated that I found this thread on page three . . . .

Hang in their Dizny Dad! I love SSR and am very proud and very vocal of my support of the Resort. Jealousy is an ugly thing.....One day the rest of them will get over it.

My wife and I feel in love with Saratoga the first time we toured the resort. Since then, we have added on Six times and was looking at another contract today.

I rent points often and one of the first things I hear from potential renters is "Anywhere but Saratoga Springs". They say this not because they hate the resort, they have never seen SSR and in some cases, never even been to Disney World. They just read over and over again how terrible the resort is and how no way should ever stay there. Needless to say, a lot of these renters stay there anyway, where else can you find a two bedroom 3 months out? I follow up with my renters, to make sure their trip went smooth. Amazingly, everyone of them loved the resort, loved their room and had the best time vacationing at SSR.

SSR = Disney's Best Kept Secret!!!

 

[Evette]

We'll be at SSR for the first time tomorrow!!Looking forward to our first trip "home". We bought into DVC last summer and we are excited about our first stay.

 

[majortom1981]

My fiance and her parents own ssr and I stay there and will stay there even though i own akv .

Its an OK place to me. We actually just stayed there last week.

My number one complaint is the buses. Everytime I had to wait a half an hour for the magic kingdom bus to come at ssr.

The buses seem to be slower at ssr then all the other resorts I have stayed at.

Its a peacefull resort. No real special theming or anything like that so some people might get turned off by that .

Like I said my major complaint is the buses.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

Like I said my major complaint is the buses.

I have to say that one of the things I like about SSR is the buses.

Now I'm not talking about delays, and buses not show up when they're supposed to. The standard is supposed to be 20 minutes for any park at any resort. When that doesn't happen, it's (supposedly) a glitch. I've had my fair share of very long waits for buses at many resorts.

What I like best about the SSR buses is the route. Sure, there are five stops, but they're five close stops, and the entire route through the resort doesn't seem to take that long. (Albeit longer now that Grandstand has opened.) Then, you're straight to your park.

I personally find bus routes that are shared between multiple resorts to be far more annoying. Some of the resorts that share are a pretty good distance from one another, too. Heading down Bonnett Creek Parkway between Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness seems like such a long trek when it's late at night and you're tired. And the bus loop through the Epcot resorts can seem endless, too.

 

[msd1962]

I own SSR and am very happy with the resort, very quite. My only complaint is we were in a studio in May 4th floor very end of the hallway, and the ice machine was on the 1st floor. Except for that great views out the balcony and the room was very nice.

Sure, there are five stops, but they're five close stops, and the entire route through the resort doesn't seem to take that long. (Albeit longer now that Grandstand has opened.) Then, you're straight to your park.

Before we purchased DVC we stayed at POFQ alot. Talk about bad busses, we were the first stop and many times filled the bus then we had to drive around PORS even though we did not stop.

I have stayed at several of the resorts and had waits for busses from 0 to 30+ minute. At WL we had long waits for boats, but no one complains about that.